Focused - podcast cover

Focused

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David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk through their successes and failures along the way. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.

Episodes

77: You Can't Hack the System

David and Mike are sick and tired of being sick and tired, so in this episode they share some things they've learned about managing energy. They discuss staying positive, Mike continues his digital Bullet Journal experiment, and David spends some time "reseaching" the perfect notebook.

Jul 09, 20191 hr 11 minEp. 77

76: A Failure Across the Board

In this episode, David and Mike dispel a myth about their feelings toward time tracking and David outs himself about exactly how unproductive he was on his last trip. Mike's getting serious about bullet journaling and also has a distinction between Personal Retreats and Greycations. Also, imposter syndrome is still a thing.

Jun 25, 20191 hr 26 minEp. 76

75: Intentional Constraints

The conversation on moving the needle continues as David and Mike talk about intentional constraints. Mike embarks on a task management spirit quest, David shares his Bullet Journal advice, and together they consider the balance of process and results.

Jun 11, 20192 hr 30 minEp. 75

74: Moving the Needle

David & Mike unpack David's new system to help focus on important work, talk about stepping off the hamster wheel of efficiency, and discuss what to do about productivity shame.

May 28, 20191 hr 20 minEp. 74

71: Hyper-Scheduling

This episode focuses on hyper-scheduling and how to turn your calendar into a productivity weapon. Mike and David also continue the conversation about digital minimalism and share a few of their favorite books.

Apr 16, 20191 hr 22 minEp. 71

70: Digital Decluttering, with Shahid Kamal Ahmad

Video game developer Shahid Kamal Ahmad is back to talk about his digital declutter, staying present, and quieting the voices in your head with an intentional approach to managing your technology.

Apr 02, 20191 hr 25 minEp. 70

69: The Intentional Life

David and Mike continue to explore the topic of intentionality and the role it has in every area of your life. They also catch up on some listener feedback, David gets ready for a (hopefully) productive work trip, Mike answers David's questions about Masterminds, and they discuss the importance of space and margin in living the life you want to live.

Mar 19, 20191 hr 15 minEp. 69

67: Staying Motivated with Laura McClellan

On this episode, Laura McClellan, The Productive Woman, joins to talk about her perfectly scheduled day (and what happens when that goes wrong), habits, mastermind groups, and staying motivated.

Feb 19, 20191 hr 8 minEp. 67

66: Putting Email in its Place

David and Mike navigate the minefield of email, sharing strategies and workflow tips to help you curb inbox addiction and reclaim your focus.

Feb 05, 20191 hr 22 minEp. 66

65: Hyperfocused with Chris Bailey

Author and productivity experimenter Chris Bailey joins us to share ideas and strategies for getting your focus on.

Jan 22, 20191 hr 23 minEp. 65

64: The Power of Habits

David and Mike kick off Focused with an in-depth look at why New Year's resolutions usually fail. They discuss the power of tiny gains, why systems are more important than goals, and how you can change your identity by implementing better habits.

Jan 08, 20191 hr 21 minEp. 64

63: Lessons Learned

Mike and David wrap up the Free Agents run with a discussion of depression and Free Agency and David has some overall thoughts on free agency as they transition the show to "Focused".

Dec 26, 20181 hr 5 minEp. 63

62: The Year End Audit

David and Mike do a year end audit of their own Free Agency to figure out where they spent their time and money. They talk about fixing broken systems, when to try something new, and make a big announcement about the future of the show.

Dec 11, 201851 minEp. 62

61: The Morning Routine

Mike and David dig in on their morning routines. Mike finds himself entering the Free Agent arena like never before and David wants to start year-end planning.

Nov 27, 20181 hr 1 minEp. 61

60: Be Strategic About It, with Mike Vardy

Productivityist founder Mike Vardy joins David & Mike to tell his free agent story, from Costco to comedian to productivity strategist. He shares how he learned to think outside the big box store, the importance of establishing systems, and how to create time and freedom for what's important.

Nov 13, 201848 minEp. 60

59: Kaizen

In this episode, David and Mike look at the concept of Kaizen and how little changes can add up to big results. They also help Michael as he makes his second attempt at free agency, share what they do for fun, how bad David is at using virtual assistants, and their favorite music to work by.

Oct 30, 20181 hr 5 minEp. 59

58: A Better Path, with Joe Buhlig

Podcaster and programmer Joe Buhlig shares his free agent journey, from bean field to office to family room. He joins David and Mike to talk about his experience solving problems, how to let things go, and finding your own definition of success.

Oct 16, 20181 hr 11 minEp. 58

57: Chef = Boss

This episode is all about space. Mike and David discuss the role of Mise-en-place ("Everything in its place") with a successful free agency. Also, David talks about the effect of dedicated spaces on production, Mike is thinking about leaving his co-working space, and David is plotting a sabbatical, for more "space".

Oct 02, 20181 hr 1 minEp. 57

56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe

Sean McCabe started his free agent journey as a designer doing hand lettering, and has built a successful online business through teaching what he knows. He joins David and Mike to talk about the lessons he's learned along the way, including the power of rest and why he takes a sabbatical every 7 weeks.

Sep 18, 20181 hr 19 minEp. 56

55: The Math Works

Mike and David cover a variety of Free Agent topics including getting enough sleep, staying motivated, and David makes a big decision about his transportation.

Sep 04, 20181 hr 24 minEp. 55

54: I Have to Try It, with Casey Liss

Podcaster and programmer Casey Liss joins David and Mike to talk about his Free Agent journey, what caused him to take the leap, the tendency to do too much, and his desire to pull the thread which has led to him becoming an Accidental YouTuber.

Aug 21, 20181 hr 26 minEp. 54

53: The Value of Your Time

David and Mike talk about protecting your most valuable resource and how to figure out what you shouldn’t be doing anymore. Mike gets inspired during his personal retreat and learns how to say “no.” David learns the hard way from his recent travels but has a plan for what to do differently next time.

Aug 07, 20181 hr 12 minEp. 53

52: You Can't Be What You Can't See with Ann Shen

Ann Shen started her career as a grant writer and realized the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. She then took the courageous step of going to art school and starting over again. Since then, with a combination of skill, grit, and newfound faith in herself, she's gone a long way as a Free Agent.

Jul 24, 20181 hr 1 minEp. 52

51: Freedom Frogs

David and Mike talk about why “eating your frog” is an important Free Agent survival skill. David talks through a pivot in his approach to book publishing. Mike shares his struggles with “Imposter Syndrome” and how he overcomes it.

Jul 10, 201855 minEp. 51

50: Bet on Yourself

Mike Schmitz joins as the new Free Agents co-host. In this episode, we get to know Mike better, learn about his journey, and discuss the show format going forward.

Jun 26, 201845 minEp. 50

49: Panting to the Finish Line

Family members with employment issues remind Jason about just how far he's come; David grapples with letting go of control and working with an assistant; and Jason hands in his resignation and participates in an "exit interview" with David.

Jun 12, 201848 minEp. 49